Advocating for Filipino Migrant Fishers: A Collaborative Effort
In a proactive meeting held at the Philippine Embassy in London, TUCP President and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza (TUCP Party-list) engaged with key officials including Philippine Ambassador to the UK, Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Lopez Locsin Jr., Deputy Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Consul Raphael Hermoso, Maritime Attaché Atty. Sharon Aledo, and Sheila Mae Aguilar from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Notable participants also included Atty. Generick Humprey Morales, National Vice President for Operation of the Associated Philippine Seafarers Union (APSU), and Archie Ranin, Chief of Staff of TUCP Party-list.
Tackling Workers’ Rights in the Fishing Industry
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), represented by its leadership under Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, convened discussions with Ambassador Locsin centered on a pressing concern: the exploitation encountered by Filipino fishers on UK boats. The dialogue emphasized essential improvements to working environments, enhanced labor rights protections, and advocacy for an equitable visa framework that safeguards these workers’ rights.
Mendoza articulated a critical viewpoint: “Our compatriots are integral to Britain’s fishing sector; nevertheless, they are often overlooked—laboring exhaustively yet inadequately compensated as if they were lesser employees without fundamental labor safeguards.”
The Reality Behind Employment Loopholes
As highlighted in a recent 2023 report from Financial Times, migrant workers constitute more than 50% of the UK’s fishing workforce of 11,000 people; this includes numerous Filipinos who frequently find themselves facing unfair treatment. For years now, British fishing companies have exploited transit visas initially designed for merchant seafarers to evade employment regulations while neglecting migrant fishers’ fundamental labor rights.
“This exploitative loophole relating to transit visas has fostered an environment where Filipino fishermen are seen merely as expendable labor—overworked but underpaid—and burdened with recruitment debts that blatantly contravene ILO Convention 188,” stated Mendoza emphatically.
Pushing for International Standards
The TUCP has projected demands upon the Philippine government urging it to ratify ILO Convention No. 188 not just domestically but especially internationally during its efforts in Congress. They have reintroduced House Resolution No. 2059 during its current session requesting immediate action from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., advocating fast-tracked ratification alongside Senate approval.
A New Hope: Skilled Worker Visas
In recent news from the UK Government concerning policy reform affected migrant fishers can now access Skilled Worker Visas formally recognizing their role as offshore labour—with assurances such as better pay rates and job security benefits available along with possibilities for family reunification purposes built-in.
“Although this visa initiative marks progress towards acknowledgment within skilled worker frameworks; considerable challenges linger such as high application costs prohibiting wide accessibility plus enforced English language assessments hampering entry further,” voiced Mendoza’s concerns over existing barriers faced by many aspiring applicants.
A Call For Bilateral Cooperation
The TUCP is advocating strongly for establishing a bilateral labor treaty between Philippines & United Kingdom aimed at standardizing work contracts while extending vital worker protections across all migrant fisher categories irrespective operating status levels involved plus making visa eligibility easier accessible economically speaking.
Their push includes enhancing collaboration strategies between both nations focused upon ethical recruiting models facilitating improved treatment overall across common industry challenges identified earlier on together going forward together into future engagements prioritizing dignity equality justice throughout entire operations led therein present contexts noted above thus reaching higher compensation levels desired finally being attained overall ultimately here afterwards too lingering realities dealt actively through shared knowledge bases wise across sectors aiming unite toward similar goals identifying identification accordingly transitioning movements around whole networks established mutually beneficial orientation conducive outcomes reached afterward long-lastingly jointly thereafter indeed pursued vigorously ahead forthwith ongoingly guaranteed resulted promises made kept intact firmly worked cooperatively cherished happily endorsed completely relentlessly guided fairly continuously collaboratively strengthened fundamentally cultivated generational cross-sectional ambitions set.”
Mendoza reiterated: “Filipino fishers contribute enormously through physical tolls taken amidst perilous conditions often risking lives nourishing countless households across Britain—it is imperative we provide fair working standards deservedly sought after longer overdue necessary precautions reinstated fundamentally principled revitalized ultimately reflective partnership cultivated dedicated advancements driven purposeful full circle returns delivered persistently uncompromisingly preserving kinds available endeavors remaining gracious honorable intentions reinforced persistently collectively honoring missions.”
